Neutralizing Vinegar prints

[Ralph Celentano]

This process has worked for me on mild V prints.

1. Clean V print with Film Renew

2. Put film on core or metal reel in a larger metal can with a cube of Camphor for 4 to 6 weeks.
NOTE: No Plastic reels/cans or cardboard.

3. When neutralized, store in regular film can.

4. Check periodically if OK. If not, repeat process.


NOTE: Camphor is an ingredient of film. Even prints that take-up like an egg, get their flexibility back.

Hope this helps.

[silentfilm]

I'd disagree on #3, put the film in an archival can, or a cardboard box.

[Ralph Celentano]

I'd disagree on #3, put the film in an archival can, or a cardboard box.

The acid from cardboard will be absorbed into the print. Not good.

I have 20's prints with no V in a regular can that have been treated with Camphor.

I'm sharing what worked for me.

[Tommy Stathes]

Or put a hole in cans housing problem prints so they can off-gas. I'm quite the sucker for metal cans!

[Ralph Celentano]

Or put a hole in cans housing problem prints so they can off-gas. I'm quite the sucker for metal cans!

You don't need to put holes in good cans.

I have 80 year old Campher prints in original cans that are still good. No V.

[Tommy Stathes]

Or put a hole in cans housing problem prints so they can off-gas. I'm quite the sucker for metal cans!

You don't need to put holes in good cans.

I have 80 year old Campher prints in original cans that are still good. No V.

Absolutely right--I'm talking about prints that are starting to go.

[pookybear]

ralph,

actually archival cardboard boxes do not have any acid in them. However it does work in the oppsite direction, any
acids from the film will get into the cardboard where they can be released later. Much like the rust inside a metal
can acting as a storage point for acids. So on that note should be avoided. I do like archival cans the best for
venting the films.

pookybear

[Eric Grayson]

I just transferred a bunch of Kodachrome material for a guy in Indy here, and every one of his films that was sealed in a metal can was going vinegar. All of the ones in cardboard were OK.

The camphor is saving the vinegar prints; they don't appear to be too far gone (in most cases). I agree with Ralph that I've seen prints 80+ years old in cans, but I've seen too many cases where the sealed ones are vinegar and the unsealed ones are OK.

We can argue, and we probably should argue, about how to treat the film once the camphor has been put into it. I've had prints that have literally been for years with camphor. BTW, camphor and plastic reels is OK. Filmrenew and plastic reels is NOT OK.

Eric

[Darren Nemeth]

Where can one get 100% gaurenteed legitimate camphor??

Some reviewers of this one say it isn't the real stuff despite the listing saying it is.

Some say that some companies are selling toilet blocks as 100% camphor.

http://www.amazon.com/Deer-YW-WD09-Camp ... roduct_top" target="_blank" target="_blank

[LouieD]

Where can one get 100% gaurenteed legitimate camphor??

Some reviewers of this one say it isn't the real stuff despite the listing saying it is.

Some say that some companies are selling toilet blocks as 100% camphor.

http://www.amazon.com/Deer-YW-WD09-Camp ... roduct_top" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

That looks like them, but you'll want PURE camphor, which these do not come right out and state they are. Camphor is sold in Indian Markets as they are used in some sort of religious applications, I think. I think the last time I bought them, they came in a package of 4 tablets and they were like a dollar.

Here's some:

http://www.amazon.com/Camphor-Tablets-s ... d_sim_bt_1" target="_blank" target="_blank

but unless you have a load of films which need to be treated, this is way more than you'll ever need. I got a couple of films right now being treated which went in about two months ago, fingers crossed.